Process and display with movable images

ABSTRACT

An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, a grid and multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The grid can be printed on a front web. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. The display produced by the special process can be used to form an attractive sign, billboard, educational game, toy, box, wrapper and other packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to displays and, more particularly, toadvertising and educational displays.

Conventional print advertising and packaging is accomplished by printingstationary non-moveable information and pictures on magazines,newspapers, brochures, flyers, posters, billboards, signs, wrapper,boxes, etc. While many conventional print advertisement and packages(trade dress) are interesting, most are not. A primary purpose of a goodadvertisement and trade dress (package) is to attract the attention ofthe reader (customer) and convey the desired information. Unfortunately,many print advertisements and packages do not attract the attention ofcustomers.

In an effort to attract the customer's attention, various types ofelectrical signs have been installed, such as illuminated signs,including neon signs, billboard illuminated with flood lights and spotlights, marquees with moving messages, blinking lights, etc. Electricalsigns, however, are often very costly, bulky, and difficult to repair.Electrical signs are also not practical for packages, magazines,newspapers, etc. nor for educational games for small children.

Over the years, many types of toys and gadgets have been developed orsuggested with moveable, non-electrical powered pictures, such as:kaleidoscopes, zoetropes, praxinoscopes, kinetoscopes, viewmasterdevices with rotating discs, manual and crankable flip cards, laminatedplastic keychains, and sheets with moveable overlays to illustraterotating wheels and smoke billowing from locomotives. Many of the toysand gadgets are interesting but are not useful in billboards, signs,educational games, wrappers, boxes and other packages.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved display whichovercomes most, if not all, of the preceding problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved process is provided for producing an attractive, aestheticdisplay with superb marketing and advertising appeal. Advantageously,the novel process is efficient, effective, and economical. Desirably,the high quality display is easy-to-use, impressive to view and pleasingto see and readily and accurately conveys the information beingdisplayed. The display can also feature moveable messages and highquality images which move without the need and cost of expensiveelectrical equipment.

To this end, the process comprises generating an overlying grid-likepattern (grid) and at least two images (objects) with a computer orother central processing unit (CPU). The first image can be producedeither creating original illustration/design or other graphic elementsor by optically scanning or electronically reading the desired image(indicia) from a photograph, magazine, brochure, document, or othermedia and transmitting the image to a monitor or display screen of theCPU. The second image can be generated by electronically copying andsubsequently altering and modifying the first image on the monitor. Atleast one and preferably all the images are then masked, electricallyrevised and striped on the CPU by sequentially moving and overlaying thegrid on the images and thereafter electronically removing erasing,canceling, or otherwise deleting a symmetrical pattern of spaces on theimages to form masked images with a spaced array of stripes comprisingviewable opaque portions with spaces positioned between and separatingthe stripes.

After masking, part or all of the portions of the masked images areoverlayed, superimposed, and combined upon each other in offsetrelationship so that the viewable stripes of one image are positioned inthe spaces (spacer portions) of another image. The grid can be printedon a front web, preferably initially on a plastic sheet of film, toprovide an overlay (grid overlay), mask, and screen. The superimposedimages or illustrations are printed on an underlying web or rearwardweb, such as on coated backing paper, which when installed in thedisplay, is positioned behind the first front web. If desired, the webor grid can be made of other materials, such as wood, metal, glass,composites, paper, paperboard, or cardboard, preferably or substantiallyplanar or flat, flexible sheets.

The grid has a special arrangement of transparent void spaces whichprovide a series of windows to view one of the viewable portions of oneof the images while the other images are blocked from view by opaquebars (rules) between the windows. One or both of the webs can be movedin a longitudinal, lateral, lateral, and/or arcuate direction or canpivot. The images also can be printed in back an white or in differentcolors, if desired. The images can be words, letters, photographs,pictures, portraits, or be of different configurations and designs andcan have indicia thereon, if desired. The stripes of the images can havea lesser or greater spacing or thickness than the bars of the grid toattain reverse or concurrent movement in the direction of the front web(grid) or underlying (back) web.

One or both webs can also be stationary, such as for use in a sign orbillboard. The sign or billboard has a frame surrounding and secured tothe webs and posts, columns, stands, hooks or wall fasteners to elevatethe frame above the floor or ground. Desirably, the images change ormove in the sign when the observer moves.

The display can also be in the form of an educational game and toy witha housing to peripherally enclose a stationary front webs (grid). Therearward web can comprise a scroll connected to cylindrical roller whichare rotated by knobs, cranks, handles, or other manually grippablecontrols. The game can further be constructed to receive interchangeablecassette or cartridges containing one or both of the webs and differentimages thereon. The images change or move when the scroll is rotatedclockwise or counterclockwise. In some circumstances, it may also bedesirable to have an educational game and toy with a moveable front web.

The display can also be in the form of a package, such as for a candybar wrapper or box of candy. The novel package has a cover whichcomprises a transparent outer sleeve. The transparent sleeve partiallyencloses and slides upon the wrapper or box. In the package, the top ofthe wrapper or box comprises the rearward web. The top of the covercomprises the front web. When the cover is slid off or moved along thebox or wrapper, the images change or move.

The display can further comprise a rotatable display with a stationaryfront web having a radial grid and a rotatable disc or wheel providing arotatable rearward web with radial superimposed images thereon. In somecircumstances, it may be desirable that the front web comprise arotatable disc or wheel while the rearward web can be stationary.

If desired, the display can also be used as part of the cover or insideof a book. The display also can be used in or form part of otherarticles of manufacture and are useful to display advertising,marketing, promotional, educational, government, and safety material,messages, and other information.

As used in this Patent Application, the term "striping" means forming animage with substantially parallel stripes.

The term "striped" as used in this Patent Application, means an imagecomprising substantially parallel stripes, radial stripes, or dottedlines.

The term "superimposed" as used in this Patent Application, means thatportions of the images are combined and placed upon each other.

The terms "image" and "images" as used in this Patent Application meanprinted, painted, or written information, photographs, pictures,illustrations, designs, symbols, objects, words, and/or letters.

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in thefollowing description and claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a central processing unit and opticalscanner for producing a display in accordance with principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display sign in accordance withprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the rearward web, providing a backing sheetwith underlying images, of the display sign;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the front web (overlay) of the displays sign;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the display sign, with the front web placed infront of the rearward web, and illustrating the first image;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the display sign, with the front web placed infront of the rearward web, and illustrating the second image;

FIG. 7 is a masked image (object) of an A;

FIG. 8 is a masked image (object) of a B;

FIG. 9 illustrates superimposed (combined) masked images A and B;

FIG. 10 illustrates a grid placed over the superimposed (combined)masked images A and B so as to only display the first image comprisingthe letter A;

FIG. 11 illustrates the grid moved by half of one grid (bar) unit overthe superimposed masked images A and B;

FIG. 12 illustrates the grid placed over the superimposed (combined)masked images A and B so as to only display the second image comprisingthe letter B;

FIG. 13 is an image (object) of an A;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a mask (grid);

FIG. 15 is a masked image of an A produced by masking the grid of FIG.14 on the image of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an image comprising a grid pattern;

FIG. 17 is a mask of an outline (stencil) of the letter A;

FIG. 18 is a masked image of an A produced by masking the mask of FIG.17 on the image of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 illustrates two solid intermediate dolphin images;

FIG. 20 illustrates two masked striped dolphin images;

FIG. 21 illustrates two superimposed (combined) dolphin images;

FIG. 22 illustrates a front web (overlay) comprising a radial grid;

FIG. 23 illustrates the radial grid of FIG. 22 placed over thesuperimposed (combined) dolphin images so as to only display the firstimage, and showing in dotted line part of the rear wheel comprising therearward web;

FIG. 24 illustrates the radial grid placed over the superimposed(combined) dolphin images so as to only display the second image, andshowing in dotted line part of the rear wheel comprising the rearwardweb;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a wrapper of a composite candy bardisplay package in accordance with principles of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a cover of the composite candy bardisplay package:

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the composite candy bar display packagewith the cover about the wrapper so as to only display the first image;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the composite candy bar display packagewith the cover about the wrapper so as to only display the second image;

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate images appearing to move in the same andopposite directions as the underlying rearward web;

FIGS. 31-33 illustrate a three image display;

FIGS. 34-37 illustrate a four image display;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an educational display game inaccordance with principles of the present invention with the underlyingweb positioned to only display the first images;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the educational display game of FIG. 38with the underlying web positioned to only display the second images;and

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an educational display game with aremovable cassette in accordance with principles of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An efficient accurate timesaving process is provided to produce anattractive quality display 100-118 of FIGS. 2-40 with moveable images120-154 providing a graphic display device and assembly comprisingmoveable pictures, words, letters, symbols, designs, or other indicia orinformation. In the process an overlying grid-like pattern 160-176providing a grid and at least two images 120-154, includingintermediate, unscreened, unmasked, non-striped (unstriped),substantially solid images, generated, electrically created, produced,and formed on a central processing unit (CPU) 200 (FIG. 1) comprising acomputer 202 and displayed, projected, and viewed on a monitor 204comprising a screen of the central processing unit 200. The grids(grid-like patterns) and images illustrated in the drawings of thispatent application, as well as other grids and images, were generated onan Apple MacIntosh (Mac II) computer with Adobe Illustrator 88 1.9.3software. Other computers and art and graphic software, such as AldusFreeHand software, can be used, if desired.

The grid (grid-like pattern) 160-176 comprises a matrix and mask with aset, series, and array of aliquot evenly spaced, uniform, elongatedopaque bars 300-316 comprising stripes or rules and a set, series, andarray of aliquot, evenly spaced, uniform slit-like void spaces or slitsproviding elongated windows 320-336 or striped slit-like port holesbetween the bars. Preferably, all the bars in a grid have the samethickness, are uniformly spaced from each other, and have a similarshape and size. The bars can comprise radial bars 306 with radialportions that extend radially as shown in FIGS. 22-24, or can comprisecurved bars with curved arcuate portions, or can comprise horizontalbars, diagonal bars, or preferably vertical bars 300-304 and 308-316with parallel, straight vertical striped portions. Desirably, all thewindows in a grid have a similar size and shape. The size, shape, andspacing of the grid can be modified by the operator or designer via thecontrol keys (buttons) 206 (FIG. 1) of the computer.

When the mask (grid) is generated on the CPU with an Adobe Illustrator88 1.9.3 software program, the ends of the bars can be connected outsideof the area which is used to mask and cover the underlying images; themask appears in black and white when the program is in an artwork andtemplate mode; and the mask appears transparent when the program is inthe preview illustration mode, such as during masking and to previewsuperimposed (combined) images preparatory to printing.

The first intermediate, unscreened, unmasked, non-striped (unstriped),image can be created, originated, and generated by the designer on thecomputer 202 and monitor 204, or can be produced by initially opticallyscanning and electrically reading the desired image 400 on an opticalscanner 208 (FIG. 1) from a sheet of paper 402, such as from a magazine,newspaper, brochure, etc. During testing, numerous images were scannedon a Dest PC Scan Plus scanner with Publish Pac 1.11 scanning software.Other types of scanners and software scanning programs can be used, ifdesired.

The scanned image 400 (FIG. 1) is transmitted to the monitor 204 via acable wire 210 and moved to a position on the screen 204 away from thegrid. The first intermediate image can be enlarged and reduced, expandedor contracted, in whole or in part, by the operator or designer via thecomputer control keys 206 of the CPU 200. The interior portions of thefirst intermediate image (pattern), which can be bounded and enclosed bythe periphery and outline of the image, can be generated andelectrically painted in a selected solid color, such as with the AdobeIllustrator 88 1.9.3 software program, if desired, by the operator ordesigner via the computer control keys 206 of the CPU 200.

The second image can be substantially or entirely different than thefirst image, such as the second image 124 of FIG. 8. The secondintermediate, unscreened, unmasked, non-striped (unstriped) image can becreated, originated generated, and produced, in whole or in part, in amanner similar to the method described above for the first intermediateimage. Preferably, however, the second intermediate, unscreened,unmasked, non-striped is produced by electrically copying the firstintermediate image, such as the first intermediate, unscreened,unmasked, non-striped, solid dolphin image 404 of FIG. 19, to form acopied, duplicate intermediate second image. The second intermediateimage can be moved or otherwise placed on the screen 204 of the CPU 200at a different location than the first intermediate image or vice versa.In some circumstances, it may be desirable that the copied, unmasked,second intermediate image be identical to the first intermediate imageand merely positioned at a different location or electrically painted ina different color. It is usually preferred, however, to subsequentlyalter, revise, and modify at least a part of the overall design,appearance, and shape of the copied intermediate image until the desiredintermediate image is attained, such as the revised, secondintermediate, unmasked, unscreened, non-striped, solid dolphin image 406of FIG. 19 with a raised tail and lowered fin, so that a substantialportion of the second intermediate image is different than the firstintermediate image. This can be accomplished by the operator or designervia the computer control keys 206 (FIG. 1) of the CPU 200.

Additional intermediate and final images, such as a third image 137(FIG. 33) and 141 (FIG. 36), fourth image 142 (FIG. 37), etc., can beformed by following a sequence of steps similar to that described abovefor producing (generating) the second image.

In order to form the final, completed striped images, such as thestriped image 123 of FIG. 15, each of the intermediate images areelectrically masked, screened, stenciled, and striped. This isaccomplished by sequentially moving and overlaying the grid (mask) orduplicate grids, such as the grid 164 of FIG. 14, on the intermediateimages, such as the intermediate solid image 408 of FIG. 13, andelectrically deleting, erasing, and removing portions of theintermediate image behind the bars 304 (FIG. 14) of the grid 164, viathe computer control keys 206 (FIG. 1) of the CPU 200. With the mask(grid) is generated on the CPU with Adobe Illustrator 88 1.9.3 softwareprogram, the grid is transparent in the preview illustration mode andneed not be moved from the masked image. With other programs, it may bedesirable that the grid be returned to its original location or moved toanother location on the monitor of the CPU.

While the above method is preferred for best results, in somecircumstances it may be desirable that the first intermediate imagecomprise stripes 410 (FIG. 16), that the mask or grid comprise anoutline, such or outline 412 (FIG. 17), and that during masking, theexterior extraneous portions of the intermediate striped image 410 (FIG.16) located outside of the outline 412, be deleted to form the finalstriped image 423 (FIG. 18).

Each of the completed striped, masked, screened final images has a set,series, and array of aliquot, evenly spaced, uniform stripes 421-454comprising elongated viewable opaque portions or dotted lines and a set,series, and array of aliquot, evenly spaced, uniform spacer portion orspaces 460-466 between the stripes. Preferably, the stripes of all theimages in each display are uniformly spaced from each other and have asimilar size and shape. The stripes can comprise radial stripes, such asradial stripes 426 and 427 (FIG. 20) with radial portions that extendradially, as illustrated in the first and second striped, masked,screened, dolphin images 426 and 427 of FIG. 20. The stripes can alsocomprise curved stripes or curved dotted lines, such as 421 and 422 ofFIG. 3, or stripes with curved portions, such as 431 and 432 of FIG. 25.Furthermore, the stripes can comprise horizontal stripes, diagonalstripes, or preferable vertical stripes, such as 423 and 424 (FIGS. 7and 8) with striped portions. Desirably, all the spacer portions betweenthe stripes in an image are of a similar size and shape.

During masking, screening, and striping, the viewable stripes arepositioned behind the windows of the grid and the spacer portions areobstructed and blocked from view behind the bars of the grid. The widthof the strips generally correspond to the width to the windows of thegrid.

Preferably, the images are electrically formed, masked, and striped inaccordance with the following formula:

    B.sub.w =O.sub.w =I.sub.l

wherein

B_(w) =width of the opaque bars of the grid or grid-like pattern;

O_(w) =overall combined width of the stripes of all the images;

I₁ =combined width of the stripes of the first image.

After masking and striping, the masked images are moved, superimposed,combined, and aligned in offset relationship to each other, via thecomputer control keys 206 (FIG. 1) of the CPU 200 so that at least aportion of the stripes of the image are aligned in registration with andsuperimposed upon part of the spacer portions of the adjacent image(s)and vice versa, such as shown in superimposed images 120 (FIG. 3), 125(FIG. 9), 128 (FIG. 21), 130 (FIG. 25), and 452 (FIGS. 39 and 39).

The grid can be printed on first elongated front web, preferably atransparent plastic web comprising transparent semi-rigidshape-sustaining portions, to provide an overlay (overlay grid), screen,and mask. The superimposed images (illustrations) can be printed on asecond elongated rearward back web, such as on an elongated paper web, aflexible plastic, or some other backing sheet, to provide the underlyingillustrations and information. Printing can be accomplished withLinotronic model 300 printer and printed with four color separation onfilm as a negative or positive. Proofs can be developed with chromalinefour piece laminated film or with progressive proofs bonded together orby short run proof printing, and subsequently printed on the desiredpaper, paperboard, plastic coated paper, or web. The print can beenlarged for billboards with a Mega Print printer. Other types ofprinters can be used.

The display comprises the front and rearward webs, which are preferablypositioned parallel to each other. When the rearward web is placedbehind the front web, the stripes of only one of the images can beviewed through the windows of the grid while the bars of the grid blockand obstruct the view of the stripes of the other images, until one ofthe webs is moved or the observer changes positions and the stripes ofanother image become viewable through the windows of the grid, etc.creating the illusion of movement. The grid overlay is preferably atleast as large as the moveable portions of the superimposed underyingimages.

For best results for a two image display, the relationship of the widthof the bars of the overlay (overlying) grid, the width of the stripes ofthe superimposed images, and the distance and spacing between the frontweb (overlay) and the rear web comprising the underlying images, to thefocal point of the observer, are in accordance with the followingformulas:

    S=B - D and

    A/B =C/D

wherein

S=the spacing (distance) between the front web (overlay) and therearward web comprising the underlying images

B=the distance between the rearward web and the focal point (location)of the observer

D=the distance between the front web (overlay) and the focal point(location) of the observer

A=maximum width of any stripe of the underlying superimposed images

C=maximum width of any bar of the grid overlay

Therefore, if the overlay (front web) is placed against the rearwardweb, such as in the illustrated candy bar composite package of FIGS. 27and 28, the maximum width of the bars of the grid should be equal to themaximum width of the stripes of the superimposed underlying images. Ifthe overlay (front web) is spaced in front of the rearward web, such asin the illustrated display sign of FIG. 2 and the educational displaygame of FIGS. 38-40, the maximum width of the bars of the grid can besmaller than the maximum width of the stripes of the superimposedunderlying images, to accommodate perspective phenomena.

When the overlay (front web) is placed against the rearward web, eachbar of the grid is at least as wide as a corresponding stripe of anyimage in the display. The bars of the grid are each wider than thecorresponding stripes of the images in the display when more than twoimages are depicted in the display. For a two image display, i.e. adisplay with only two images, such as shown in FIGS. 7-12, each bar 302of the grid 162 preferably has the same width as any one stripe 423 or424 of the images 123 and 124. For a three image display, i.e. a displaywith only three images on a rearward web 477, such as shown in FIGS.31-33, each bar 310 of the grid 170 has a width about equal to thecombined width of two stripes of the images 135-137. The three imagedisplay 108 of FIGS. 31-33 has a three step, 6 point rule with threepoint spaces. For a four image display 110, i.e. a display with onlyfour images on a rearward web 479, such as shown in FIGS. 34-37, eachbar 312 of the grid 172 has a width about equal to the combined width ofthree stripes of the images 139-142, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, by varying (enlarging or decreasing) thespacing of the stripes of the images relative to the bars of the gridand laterally moving the front web 480 and/or the rearward web 482, theimages can appear to move concurrently in the same direction as therearward web or the front web (grid) or countercurrent in the reversedirection of the rearward web or front web (grid). For example, the 90%image in the left of FIGS. 29 and 30 has vertical stripes which aresmaller in width than the vertical bars of the 100% grid so that thestripes of the left image appear to move in the same direction of theunderlying rearward web 482 when the rearward web is moved laterally(sideways) in a direction perpendicular or transverse to the verticalstripes and bar. The 110% image on the right of FIGS. 29 and 30 hasvertical stripes which are larger (broader) in width than the verticalbars of the 100% grid so that the stripes of the right image appear tomove in the same direction as the rearward web 482 when the rearward webis moved laterally in a direction perpendicular and transverse to thevertical stripes and bars.

The composite display packaging 106 of FIGS. 27 and 28 comprises aflexible wrapper 500 (FIG. 25) and a slidable open ended, tubular cover502 (FIG. 26). The wrapper 500 can be made of paper and coated with aglossy material, such as silicone. The wrapper 500 provides an innercontainment member and shell to wrap and enclose one or more items, suchas a candy bar or pieces of candy. When folded and wrapped around thecandy, the wrapper has an elongated rectangular, top surface 504 (FIG.25), an elongated rectangular, bottom surface 506, rectangular sides 508and 510, and rectangular ends 512 and 514. A semi-rigid box or cartoncan be used in lieu of the wrapper to enclose more candy or items, or toenclose larger items. The open ended tubular cover 502 can be made offlexible and semi-rigid transparent plastic, such as polyethylene orpolypropylene. The cover 502 provide an outer sleeve which snugly fitsaround, peripherally encloses, and can laterally slide upon the top andbottom surfaces 504 and 506 and sides 508 and 510 of the innercontainment member (wrapper) 500. The open ended outer sleeve 502 (FIG.26) has an elongated rectangular top 512, an elongated rectangularbottom (underside) 514, and rectangular sides 516 and 518.

The top 512 of the outer sleeve and cover 502 (FIG. 26) provides a frontweb. The front web 502 has a grid-like pattern or grid 168 with verticalbars 308 (as view from above the top) and spaces providing transparentwindows 328 between the bars 308. The sides 516 and 518 of the cover canoptionally have upright bars and windows.

The top surface 504 of the inner containment member (wrapper) 500 (FIG.25) provides a rearward back web with superimposed images 130 thereon,including a first Good Stuff image 131 with vertical stripes 431 asviewed from above the top and a second Good Stuff image 132 withvertical stripes 432. The grid 168 (FIG. 26) and images 130-132 arepreferable made in the manner previously described. When the cover(sleeve) 502 is slid along the inner containment member (wrapper) 500,such as when the cover is being removed, to unwrap the wrapper, theimages 131 and 132 have the illusion of moving. For example, in thefirst image 131 of FIG. 27, the left 0 is down and the right 0 is up. Inthe second image 132 of FIG. 28, the left 0 is up and the right 0 isdown, so that the double 00 has the appearance of googily eyes.

The rotatable display 104 of FIGS. 23 and 24 has a stationarytransparent plastic front web 520 and a rotatable disc or wheel 522providing a rotatable rearward (back) web. The front web 520 (FIGS.22-24) has a radial grid 166 with radial bars 306 and radial spacesproviding transparent windows 326 between the bars 306. The rearward web522 has superimposed dolphin images 128 (FIG. 21). The superimposedimages 128 can include a first radially striped, dolphin image 126 asshown in FIG. 20 with radial stripes 426 and radial spaces 464 betweenthe stripes 426 and a second radially striped, dolphin image 127 asshown in FIG. 20, with radial stripes 427 and radial spaces 466 betweenthe stripes. A substantial portion of the stripes 426 of the first image126 are aligned in registration and positioned in spaces 466 of thesecond image 127, and a substantial portion of the stripes 427 of thesecond image 127 are aligned in registration and positioned in spaces464 of the first image 126 in the superimposed image 128 of FIG. 21. Thegrid and images are preferably made in the manner previously described.When the disc or wheel comprising the rearward web 522 (FIGS. 23 and 24)is rotated or pivoted, the images 126 and 127 have the illusion ofmoving. For example, in the first image 126 of FIG. 23, the tail of thedolphin is pointed down and the front lower flipper is pointedrearwardly. In the second image 127 of FIG. 24, the tail of the dolphinis moved upwardly and the front lower flipper is pointed downwardly.

The advertising display sign 100 of FIG. 2 comprises a sign assembly andbillboard 600 with a rectangular frame assembly 602. The display sign100 is useful to display and convey advertising, marketing, promotional,educational, or governmental information. The frame assembly 602 caninclude a rectangular front frame 604 which peripherally surrounds andis fixedly secured to the front, planar or flat, rectangular, rigid,stationary web 606 of the billboard 600. The frame assembly 602 can alsoinclude a rectangular rearward back frame 608 which peripherallysurrounds and is fixedly secured to the rearward, planar or flat,rectangular, rigid, stationary underlying back web 610 of the billboard600. Each frame can have a top elongated longitudinal horizontal beam612, a bottom elongated longitudinal horizontal beam 614, a left uprightside strut 616, and a right upright side strut 618. The upright struts616 and 618 extend vertically between and connect the horizontal beams612 and 614. One or more upright posts 620 and 622 or vertical columnsare connected to the bottom beam 614 and provide a stand to elevate thebillboard above the ground. Upright side walls 624 and 626 providingconnecting members can extend between and connect the front and rearframes 604 and 608. In some circumstances, it may be desirable for thedisplay sign to have a platform, scaffolding, braces, and/or back litflood lights, as well as omit part or all of the back frame and sidewall connecting members. If a single post is desired, it can beconnected to the middle portion of the lower horizontal beam orcantilevered to a side section of the lower horizontal beam. Only onefront web and one rear web is required, if the sign is mounted parallelto the traffic flow. If it is desired that the sign be positionedperpendicular or transverse to the traffic flow and that the signdisplay information in both opposing direction of traffic, then dualopposing front and rear webs can be used such as with a V-shaped frameassembly.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the front web 606 of the display sign 100 hasa grid-like pattern providing a grid 160 with vertical bars 300 andslit-like spaces providing vertical transparent windows 320 between thebars. If solid rigid metal bars are preferred, the side struts of thefront frame may be omitted, if desired. As best shown in FIG. 3, therearward web 604 of the display sign 100 has offset superimposed images120 including a first image 121 with stripes 421 and spaces 460, betweenthe stripes 421, and a second image 122 with stripes 422 with spaces461, between the stripes 422. The illustrated images are of a cowboy, arope providing a lasso or lariat, and horses. A substantial portion ofthe stripes 422 of the first image are aligned in registration andpositioned in spaces 461 of the second image 122, and a substantialportion of the stripes 422 of the second image 122 are aligned inregistration and positioned in spaces 460 of the first image 121, in thesuperimposed image 120. The grid 160 and images 120-122 are preferablymade in the manner previously described.

In use, when a pedestrian or other observer moves his head or changeslocations, the images of the display sign 100 have the illusion ofmoving. For example, in FIG. 5, the cowboy's upright arm and lasso iscocked or tilted towards his head. In FIG. 6, the cowboy's upright armand lasso have moved left and laterally outwardly away from the cowboy'shead, the head of the horse the cowboy is riding is lower and the biggerhorse's tail is higher than in FIG. 5, and the feet of the smallerhorses in the background have changed position, to give the illusion ofgalloping horses.

The educational display game and toy 116 of FIGS. 38 and 39 has arectangular frame assembly 700 providing a housing 702 whichperipherally surrounds and is fixedly secured to a stationary frontrectangular web 704. The housing 702 has front wall portions 706providing the front of the housing which comprises a generallyrectangular, removable front frame 708. The front frame 708 hashorizontal (longitudinal) and vertical (lateral) sections 710-713 asviewed from above the front of the educational display game. The housing702 has a back 714 which provides the back of the housing. The housing702 also has transverse rectangular walls including horizontal sidewalls 716 and 718 and vertical end walls 720 and 722, which extendbetween and connect and are perpendicular to the back wall 714 and front706 of the housing 702. Sets of latches 724 and 726 are connected to theside walls 716 and 718 to latch and detachably secure the side walls tothe front 706 of the housing 702.

Manually grippable rotatable, control knobs 728 and 730 extend outwardlyand downwardly from the lower bottom end wall 718 of the housing 702, asshown in FIGS. 38 and 39. Scrolls 732 and 734 comprising elongatedparallel upright, tubular cylindrical rollers, cylindrical bars orcylinders 736 and 738 can be provided with slots or fasteners tosecurely grasp and hold a rearward rotatable, scrollable, flexible,moveable, back web 740. The scrolls 732 and 734 have slots or slottedteeth 742 and 744 which receive, are operatively connected to, anddriven by drive teeth or lugs 746 and 748 of the control knobs 728 and730, respectively. The scrolls (rollers) 732 and 734 and knobs 728 and730 provide a scroll assembly, which operatively connected to thehousing 702, to rotatively move the rearward web 726. The scrolls 732and 734 are positioned within the interior of the housing 702.

In operation one of the scrolls, such 723, of the educational displaygame 116 (FIGS. 38 and 39) provides a lead roller or lead scroll and itsassociated knob, such as 728, provides a lead advance mechanism, whilethe other scroll, such as 734, provides a trailing roller or trailingscroll and its associated knob, such as 730, provides a trailingmechanism, or vice versa. When the lead mechanism (knob) 728 is rotatedin one direction, such as counterclockwise, the lead roller 732 rotatesin the same direction and rotatively moves, advances, and winds therearward web 740. The trailing mechanism (knob) 730 and trailing roller734 can move (follow) in the same direction as the lead mechanism (knob)728 and lead roller 732. When the trailing mechanism (knob) 730 isrotated in the opposite direction, such as in a clockwise direction, thetrailing roller (scroll) 734 rotates in the same direction as thetrailing knob 728, to rotatively move, retract, and crank the rearwardweb 740 in the same clockwise direction. The other knob 728 and scroll732 can follow (move) in the same clockwise direction. In somecircumstances, it may be desirable to use cranks or other types ofhandles instead of knobs or it may be desirable to position the gamehorizontally or at an angle of inclination instead of vertically.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the front web 704 of the educationaldisplay game 116 has a grid-like pattern providing a grid 76 withvertical bars 316, as viewed from above the top of the display game, andslit-like spaces providing vertical transparent windows 336 between thebars. The rearward (back) web 740 has offset superimposed images 152including first images 153 with stripes 453 and spaces, between thestripes 453, and second images 154 with stripes 454 and spaces betweenthe stripes 454. The illustrated images are of a banana, balloon, andbutterfly. The stripes 453 of the first images 153 are aligned inregistration and positioned in the spaces of the second images 154, andthe stripes 454 of the second images 154 are aligned in registration andpositioned in the spaces of the first images 153, in the superimposedimages 152. The grid 176 and images 152-154 are preferably made in themanner previously described.

In use, when the knobs 728 and 730 are turned, pivoted, or rotated,either clockwise or counterclockwise, the rear web 740 will move behindthe stationary front web 704, and the images have the illusion ofmoving. For example, in FIG. 38, the head (banana peel) of the banana isopen, the left arm is stretched general horizontally, and the wings ofthe butterfly are fully open. In FIG. 39, the head (banana peel) of thebanana is closed, the left arm is raised, the wings of the butterfly arealmost closed, and the balloon has moved higher and closer to the bananathan in the other FIG. 38.

The educational display game and toy 118 of FIG. 40 is functionally andstructurally similar to the educational game and toy 116 of FIGS. 38 and39, except that the scrolls 732 and 734 and rearward web 74026 arehoused, enclosed, and contained in a removable cassette or cartridge750, the upper side 716 is open to define a rectangular slot 751 toslidably receive the cassette 750, and the knobs 752 and 754 extendoutwardly from the frame 708. The front 706 of the housing 702 has arectangular opening 755 for viewing of the grid 176 of the front web 706as well as the rearward back web 740. The inner (inwardly facing) endsof the knobs 728 and 730 can have teeth 756 and 758 or comprise levelgears to engage and drive corresponding teeth 760 and 762 or gearsconnected to the lower ends of the scrolls 722 and 724 when the cassette750 is properly positioned in the slot 752. The cassette (cartridge) canbe replaced with other cassettes (cartridges) having different images orstories: thereon, so that many different images and stories can bedisplayed.

The display devices produced by the described process, provide ananimation system in which animations appear as a result of movement ofthe overlay grid (front web), patterns or images (rearward web), and/orthe observer. The display system comprises one or more grid overlayspositioned upon, against, over, or partially attached to the rearwardweb comprising the underlying artwork, message, etc. Animation willoccur, when the grid overlay is positioned against or very close to therearward web comprising the underlying artwork (illustrations or otherimages) and the grid overlay or artwork is moved. Animation will alsooccur, when the overlay is placed apart, or partially attached tounderlaying artwork, and the grid, underlaying artwork, or eye positionof the observer is moved. Animation is caused by the overlay hiding andobstructing all or part of the view of the underlaying art work ormessage.

For repeated or stepped action, two or more artworks (images) can besliced into pieces by means of hand work, conventional stripping, and/orpreferably by the described computer technology. When one or moreoverlays are placed over the underlying combined images, the overlay(s)covers at least part of the underlaying images, allowing for the viewerto see only one of the two or more segments of the combined superimposedimages. By moving the overlays or underlying graphics (images), orcombination of the two, the viewer can see the next segment (image),while the previous segment (image) is hidden by the overlay, therebycreating an illusion of repeated, stepped action and animation.

In order to attain the illusion of movement, such as horizontal,vertical, rotating, radial, or irregular movement, the patterns (images)comprising the underlying artwork or message is interfered by fromdifferent directions, thus creating optical illusions known as moire.When the overlay (front web) and underlying images (rearward web) areplaced without any space or very little space therebetween, the spacingbetween the stripes and bars have to correspond to cause repeated orstepped animation. Patterns on both need not be identical to createoptical illusion or moire. In such situations, movement(s) of overlay(s)or underlaying element(s) or combination of both will cause animation,but movement of viewer's eye position alone can not create animation.

Grids can be vertical, horizontal, and/or at any angle. Lines can bestraight, curved, and/or irregular. Preferably, the lines of the gridsare evenly spaced in case the movement of any images is straight(linear). When the movement is not straight (linear), such as curved orrotating, the lines of the grid may not be parallel to each other andthe spacing may be uneven. The grid can be of different sizes, spacing,or at different angles, and movements can be forward, backward, upward,downward, or in any direction, as desired by the designer. At any givenpattern, the lines of the grid are substantially parallel to each otherand at equal intervals and spacing when the movement is straight.Generally, the overlay grid precisely covers at least one combinedpattern at a time.

When different formulations on either overlays or the underlying imagesare not identical to each other, many movements will be created, such asvertical, horizontal, angular, rotating, radial, curved, etc. Movementof the images is controlled by the direction, speed, and angle ofmovement of the webs and by the thickness, spacing, shape, and angle ofthe bars on the grid.

Overlays and underlying back webs are preferably flat or planar, butthey can be bent, curved, cylindrical or any combination of the above.

When the overlay (front web) and underlying element (rearward web) arespaced apart from each other, or partially attached to each other, thephysical size of the overlay grid should be smaller than that of theunderlying elements (superimposed images), since the overlay is closerto the viewer and overlaps and show one element (image) at a time tocause repeated and stepped animation. In this case, movement of thefront web, rearward web, and/or viewer's position. The display sign ofthis invention can create the illusion of movement and animation withoutany moving parts, by varying the viewer's position.

For complex objects created which contain many colors, different drawingtechniques such as masking, blending, patterning, can be used. The maskcan have the appearance of a comb or a brush, and enables the designeror operator to mask out and eliminate parts of the objects (image) whichare located in the void spaces of the masking pattern, thereby creatingmasked images which are spliced and spaced into pieces. Masking patterncan be in any shape, such as curved and/or, straight, as long as thelines conform and correspond to the the patterns on the overlay whichwill affect movement.

For a simple object with few colors, the designer can achieve the sameresults by first creating objects which conform the pattern on theoverlay, then masking the object with the pattern which has an outlineshape of the finished masked object. In this case, the splicing hasalready been done, so by masking with the pattern, any object outside ofthe pattern will be eliminated, thereby forming the masked objects.

Two masked objects can be overlapped, one right over the other veryprecisely, in a position so that one masked object is located in thevoid areas of the other object. The combined objects comprise two ormore images in which the image alternate by one unit of the gridpattern.

The grid pattern placed on the combined objects (superimposed images),hides one object while showing the other object. Moving the overlay gridand/or underlying web, will create illusion of repeated and/ordirectional animation.

It is possible to create images combining three or more objects toperform three or more stepped motions. For three step animation, threeobjects are combined in the same manner described above, except voidparts of a masked objects (images) are twice as wide, so two otherimages will be positioned into these void spaces. In such circumstances,the overlaying grid has lines (bars) twice as thick as the spacesbetween them, exposing one image at a time while hiding the other twoimages.

Four or more stepped movements are possible by increasing the numbers ofobjects (images) and thickness of the lines (bars) on the overlay grids.

When the grid is placed over the combined superimposed offset image, ithides all but one of the underlying images. By moving the grid, graphicor eye by one unit, the other unit of the graphic will appear whilehiding the other images at the same time. The combined graphics canprovide one or more repeated motions.

The overlay grid can be placed right on the graphic. In this case, theshape and spacing of the grid pattern on both the graphic and overlayexactly match. In such circumstances, animation is caused by eithermovement of the graphic, overlay, or combinations of the above, andmovement of viewpoint alone typically will not cause animation.

When the overlay grid is placed away from the graphic, movement ofeither the graphic, overlay grid, location (viewpoint) of the observer,or any combination of the above, will cause animation. Even when thegraphic and overlay grid are placed against each other, movement of theviewpoint will cause animation. Such animation will also occur, when thedisplay is placed on moving vehicles and objects, such as buses, trains,elevators, etc.

Spacing of the pattern lines on the overlay grid should be smaller thanthat of the graphic because the overlay grid is closer to the observer(viewpoint). The distance between the overlay grid and the graphic(rearward web) can be dependent upon the distance to the observer(viewpoint) or focal point.

If desired, the space between the graphic (rearward web) and the overlaygrid (front web) can be filled with transparent materials, such astransparent acrylic or other plastic, glass, etc.

By increasing the number of units of the grid line width compared to thespace (3, 4, 5, etc.), animation steps can be increased (3, 4, 5, etc.).The more animation steps desired, however, the more portions of thegraphic will be obstructed during viewing of other portions of thegraphic.

The display can be used in display signs, paintings, sculptures, backlit transparencies, advertisements, countertop displays, packaging,billboards, posters, toys, educational games, books, magazines,promotional publications, murals, stores, and other applications whereanimations are effective or desirable.

Among the many advantages of the novel display and process are:

1.Outstanding marketing, advertising, and promotional appeals.

2. Excellent ability to interestingly disseminate educational, safety,medical, and government information.

3. Superior product.

4. Superb quality.

5. Impressive

6. Cost effective.

7. Simple to install.

8. Easy to use.

9. Economical.

10. Attractive.

11. Efficient.

12. Effective.

Although embodiments of the invention has been shown and described, itis to be understood that various modifications and substitutions, aswell as rearrangements of parts, components, and process steps, can bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the novel spiritand scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for producing a display, comprising the steps of:generating an overlying grid-like pattern with a central processing unit, said grid-like pattern having a set of aliquot spaced substantially uniform opaque bars and a set of aliquot substantially uniform slit-like spaces providing windows between said bars; displaying said grid-like pattern on a monitor comprising a display screen of said central processing unit; generating a first intermediate image on said central processing unit, said first intermediate image being smaller than said grid-like pattern; displaying said first intermediate image on said screen at a different location than said pattern; generating a second intermediate image on said central processing unit by electronically copying said first intermediate image, moving said copied image to a different location on said screen than said first intermediate image and said pattern, and electronically altering and modifying at least part of the overall appearance and shape of said copied second intermediate image so that a substantial portion of said second intermediate image is substantially different than said first intermediate image; masking and striping said first intermediate image by moving and overlaying said grid-like pattern on said first image and screening, substantially removing, and deleting portions of said first intermediate image behind said bars to form a striped first image having an array of aliquot spaced obstructed first spacer portions defining a first set of spaces behind said bars and an array of aliquot spaced first stripes comprising first opaque portions behind and substantially corresponding to the width of said windows; masking and striping said second intermediate image by moving and overlaying said grid-like pattern on said second intermediate image and by screening, substantially removing, and deleting portions of said second intermediate image behind said bars to form a striped second image having an array of aliquot spaced obstructed second spacer portions defining a second set of spaces behind said bars and an array of aliquot spaced second stripes comprising second opaque portions behind and substantially corresponding to the width of said windows; said images being formed substantially in accordance with the following formula

    B.sub.w =O.sub.w -I.sub.1

wherein B₂ =width of the opaque bars of the grid-like pattern,=o_(w) =overall combined width of the stripes of said first image, I₁ =combined width of the stripes of said first image; superimposing, aligning, and moving said second striped image in offset relationship upon said first striped image so that at least part of said first opaque portions of said first striped image are aligned in registration with and superimposed upon part of said spacer portions of said second striped image and at least part of said first spacer portions of said first striped image are aligned in registration with and superimposed upon part of said second opaque portions of said second striped image; printing said grid-like pattern on a first web comprising substantially transparent semi-rigid shape-sustaining portions; and printing said superimposed images on a second web comprising a backing sheet.
 2. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said generating said first image includes optically scanning said first image with an optical reader and transmitting said scanned image to said screen.
 3. A process in accordance with claim 1 includinggenerating a third intermediate image on said central processing unit by electronically copying said first intermediate image, moving said copied third intermediate image to a different location on said screen than said first image and said pattern, and electronically altering and modifying at least part of the overall appearance and shape of said copied third intermediate image so that said third intermediate image is substantially different than said first and second intermediate images; masking and striping said third intermediate image by moving and overlaying said grid-like pattern on said third intermediate image and screening, substantially removing, and deleting portions of said third intermediate image behind said bars to form a striped third image having an array of aliquot spaced obstructed third spacer portions defining a third set of spaces behind said bars and an array of aliquot spaced third stripes comprising third opaque portions behind and substantially corresponding to the width of said windows, and moving said grid-like pattern away from said third striped image to another position on said screen; and superimposing, aligning, and moving said third striped image in offset relationship upon said second striped image so that at least part of said second opaque portions of said second striped image are aligned in registration with and superimposed upon part of said spacer portions of said third striped image and at least part of said second spacer portions of said second striped image are aligned in registration with and superimposed upon part of said second opaque portions of said third striped image. 